The Integram: an Integral Enneagram of Consciousness;  a model of consciousness, including all aspects, for designing practical paths of personal development and evolution.

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The Magnificent Seven (part 1)
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The First Four: Happy Neurochemicals
Our moods aren't just magical reactions to what’s going on around us. We take in information (through our filtering lenses) then interpret the data (according to existing “files” in our brains.) Depending on the interpretation, processes get triggered, including specific brain chemicals. What we “feel” is primarily a result of these chemicals, and the particular mixture that our interpretations triggered.

Most of us know the basics, like stress inducing “fight or flight.” This is a start, but knowing what's going on in our brains can help manage this a lot better. There are about 7 brain chemicals that do most of the heavy lifting (although there are many more.) For simplicity, let’s stick to what I’m going to call the Magnificent 7; a more manageable number.

We can even call them reward chemicals and threat chemicals, although they have some overlaps. The pure reward side has dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins. On the threat side we have adrenaline, norepinephine, and cortisol. To survive we need both, but we need to have the right mixture.

To keep this from becoming a text book, I'm going to keep the descriptions brief, and break this theme into two parts; addressing the stress neurotransmitters and handling them next month. This month we'll focus on the pure reward chemicals, with the understanding that overlaps of what we might think of as stress can be helpful too. We need them all. We evolved and survived our Paleolithic roots because our brain rewarded us when we did things that would keep us alive. Sometimes that was rewarding us for being alerted to danger, and sometimes it rewarded us for doing something that nurtured us and others.

Knowing what each transmitter does, and how to increase the flow, without negative consequences gives us more power and control over how we feel. And remember, whether positive or negative, too much is never a good thing. We can develop tolerances to some reward chemicals, and they lose potency. Likewise, threat chemicals do physical damage when they're too strong for too long. You know what fight or flight does to you over time. So let’s look at the first four of our Magnificent Seven brain chemicals, what they do, and how you can impact them in a way that serves you.

1. Dopamine does a lot of things, and controls many other chemicals, but for simplification, it’s the reward you get when you succeed at something. Our ancestors felt the joy of dopamine when they found a new berry patch or water hole. We got the reward, and it fired neurons that connected the action to the feeling. Now when we succeed at something, it feels good, as dopamine stimulates the pleasure centers of the brain, even reducing pain. It's the “I GOT IT!” feeling we get from things like: learning to ride a bike, finding a parking space, winning something, making a meal, playing a musical instrument, and so on.

2. Serotonin plays an important role in wound healing, blood clotting, a strong heart beat, initiating sleep, fighting depression and migraines. Too much can be a vasoconstrictor, so balance is key. It's the “I feel valuable” feeling.” Self reliance is an antidote to feeling helpless or worthless, although again, overdoing that has its own downside. Not feeling valuable depresses serotonin, which can lead to depression. Looking back at that Paleolithic origin, bringing the berries back to your tribe got you recognition and a sense of worth.

3. Oxytocin acts as a chemical messenger for social bonding and connection. Our oxytocin receptors create attachment in relationships. It’s stimulated by those relationships, especially when they're based on solid trust. Hugs and deep eye contact help stimulate oxytocin release. Maybe returning from the hunt to your cave and your honey gave this reward (although we can have that with our pets as well.)

4. Endorphins – When we're hurt, receptors in our skin send electrical signals to the brain. The brain then releases endorphins which bind at opiate receptor sites to mediate pain. Endorphins affect the dopamine pathway that feeds into the frontal lobe. These pathways normally inhibit the free flow of dopamine like a “valve.” When lots of endorphins are released, the inhibiting nerves shut off so more dopamine flows through the pathway, replacing pain with pleasure. This kept us going, looking for those berries, rather than stopping because our feet hurt.

So what can we do to use these neurotransmitters in a positive way? We know that making a goal or commitment (to ourselves or anyone) and then meeting it makes us feel “good.” Not meeting it makes us feel “badly.” Again, from an evolutionary standpoint, the reward of feeling good when landing an accomplishment makes perfect sense. Setting out to find the water or the berry patch and then achieving it meant survival. Our brain rewarded us by increasing our dopamine level. It's directly related to accomplishment.

Obviously we can trick our brain by accomplishing something dumb as well as valuable, and this is how we can get addicted to video games, gambling, or social media “likes.” We get dopamine in a much healthier way by meeting commitments. Sticking to a routine that calls on your self-discipline is a great way to increase dopamine.

Then comes serotonin, (connected to a sense of value.) Obviously value can be defined many ways; some being unhealthy, transient, or even false. Again, from that evolutionary standpoint, finding that water or berry patch meant survival not just for you, but for your entire tribe. They’re going to see you as valuable, and you’ll get that reinforcement.

Without external validation, it needs to come from within. Building Internal Validation is one of the exercises I train people in. Feeling inherently important, not because others say you are, but because you know it within keeps your serotonin at good levels, and fights the opposite feeling of not being important/having value, contributing to depression.

Another brain chemical that's very valuable in feeling good is oxytocin; your brain’s reward for building solid social connections and trust. This was also necessary for survival of the species. A lack of trust can stimulate the opposite reaction. Instead of oxytocin, you'd get stress chemicals, making you feel uncomfortable and edgy.

Awareness of what’s happening helps you stay in charge. As we saw earlier, social bonding in a trusting way activates oxytocin release, which makes it feel good, and reduces fear and stress, encouraging us to do it more. While strengthening emotional bonds, it also helps with wound healing and has anti-inflammatory impact.

Endorphins are released when the body feels pain, which any physical exertion can bring about. Unfortunately, just as in any chemical-to-receptor relationship, too much of anything builds tolerance and lessens effectiveness. This is why we can overdo it with all four of these brain chemicals, and lower our ability to get the amount we need. It's a balancing act.

So the simplest recipe for all of these is to figure out how to re-create situations that mimic how we developed them in the first place.

1. Set achievable goals, commit, and do them.
2. Contribute to others in some way; whether that's volunteering, teaching, even holding doors open for someone, or waving others through at a four-way stop sign.
3. Make sure you get some exercise every day; even if that's walking around the block. Getting your heart pumping, getting some aerobics in for even 20 minutes a day makes a difference.
4. Make some quality time with your partner, a close friend, or even your pet. Hugging is great, but even compassionate eye contact will get some oxytocin going.

Want to learn more about how to become the best you possible?  Come visit the web site, or better yet, contact me and see how we can design a program to fit your needs and desired outcomes.

     - Ian J. Blei


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Although I'm cutting the fee in half for Dynamic Discovery Sessions this month, there's an extra discount for you when you include this secret word when you schedule on Calendly. The secret word this month is the name of one of Debussy's more haunting pieces: "Syrinx." Just put that in the "please share anything that will help prepare for our meeting" box along with any other info you want to share prior to meeting.

“Working with Ian saved my company thousands upon thousands of dollars in my time and through better decision-making. His coaching has been invaluable to me." - Shannon.Seek., - Consultant and Author

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Welcome to the Integram, where consciousness meets intentional design.   Enjoy!

The Optimizer
Ian Blei,
Director of the
Institute for Integral Enneagram Studies and
President of
Optimized Results
415.826.0478

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